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Was Billy Graham evil?

He's been held up as "America's preacher", lauded for his stance against communism, honored as the friend of presidents -- but that's not the only way of looking at him. Supposedly a-political, apparently he was hip-deep in the stuff of D.C.:

Many things will be written about Graham's life by both disciples and his detractors, but if you want to know where the base of today’s Republican Party—the Christian Right—gets its mojo, look no further than this Southern Baptist preacher.The genetic makeup of the GOP is one chromosome away from Graham’s DNA. Today’s Republican Party is a neo-Confederate pro-corporation movement, thanks to the supposed life-long Democrat (when he wasn’t endorsing Mitt Romney)—the Reverend Billy Graham. A close friend of Richard Nixon's, it was Graham who helped the disgraced president articulate the “Southern Strategy,” which won Nixon the White House in 1968.

He was a power before anyone envisioned the Moral Majority, and in fact was its midwife (along with Jerry Falwell). But that stayed relatively hidden...

With help from the likes of Pat Robertson and a coalition of anti-gay, anti-Muslim, anti-feminist, and anti-ACLU networks, the Moral Majority became the Christian Right. While Graham publicly distanced himself from the Moral Majority, this was done purely for political optics. The media’s gullibility in falling for the “genteel, bipartisan, apolitical preacher” narrative gave Graham’s voice even more political clout.

He's been called the father of American evangelicalism, which is stretching a point greatly (Charles FInney and perhaps Dwight Moody have better claims), but he was certainly the father of what we think of as evangelicalism today...

Today, evangelism is synonymous with sacrificing the poor on the altar of big-business’ interests, and in becoming the most reliable and agitated voting bloc of the Republican Party since the election of Reagan, we can rightfully accuse the Christian Right in ushering in three decades of failed trickle down economics. The price we've paid for this approach is that America is now one of the most wealth-disparate of the developed countries. It’s the political descendants of Graham who shut down the government with their radical Jesus said replace every government-funded service with a for-profit corporation ideology.

And his influence continues --

Come the 2016 campaign season, when the likes of Rand Paul, Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Rick Santorum talk about how “Christianity is under attack” and how the “takers” are destroying America, it will be Billy Graham’s shadow you have to blame for that.

That's hard to doubt. But it leaves a question: just how much of the responsibility for all this lies at his feet? Or, to put it another way, how evil was he?

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

I don't doubt a lot of that it so, but it's from alternet.org which has a pretty down the line left slant.... is everything right or left.... black or white? No shades of grey, no nuance? Progressives are too often just as sure of themselves and derisive of anything that doesn't fit their world view as the hard right they often correctly deride. I prefer to follow neither side.

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

Well...I think everyone is inherently good...and inherently evil. I also think heaven and hell exist right here...right now...inside every one of us...

...and I think he helped create a hell on earth for a lot of people and maybe heaven for others. I think preachers are often fighting their own demons and think maybe if they preach loud enough and shake their fist hard enough they will come to terms with whatever battle they are fighting within themselves...Jimmy Swaggart/Jim Bakker/Ted Haggard all got caught...I have no doubt that Mr Graham has skeletons of his own going back to his allegiance with Reagan and the Immoral Minority....

He has always creeped me out...alot....whether he is truly evil or not for me is a question of balance...

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

Word that Hollywood celebrities were "stepping forward to receive Christ" reached publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, who sent a two-word telegram to every editor in his newspaper chain: "Puff Graham."

Graham told The Times in 2004 that he learned about it from two of Hearst's sons. They believed their father came to the 1949 revival in his wheelchair and in disguise, accompanied by his longtime mistress, actress Marion Davies. Hearst's intervention prompted the revival to run eight weeks -- five weeks longer than planned. Hearst died less than two years later.

he'd caught the eye of William Randolph Hearst, who during that L.A. event telegrammed his editors with a two-word directive: "Puff Graham." The newspaper baron liked the evangelist's style and approach and also thought the guy would sell newspapers.

Why?

Graham's "big break" came in the 1940s, when publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst got wind of Graham's then-recurring theme that the Cold War was a showdown between good and evil, and that communists were Satan-worshippers. "Either communism must die or Christianity must die," Graham famously preached, and Hearst sent a memo to all of his papers' editors, ordering them to "puff Graham". Prior to that, Graham had been just another traveling evangelist, holding meetings in half-empty tents. After that and for the rest of his life, he has been America's most prominent Christian leader.

At the height of the blacklists and American red scare of the 1950s, Graham said of his friend, Senator Joseph McCarthy, "While nobody likes a watchdog, and for that reason many investigation committees are unpopular, I thank God for men who, in the face of public denouncement and ridicule, go loyally on in their work of exposing the pinks, the lavenders, and the reds who have sought refuge beneath the wings of the American eagle and from that vantage point try in every subtle, undercover way to bring comfort, aid and help to the greatest enemy we have ever known -- communism."

He started as an uneducated preacher with a silver tongue, became a tool, and.... stayed one?

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

This discourse reminds me of the fallen woman brought before Jesus, for judgement by men who wanted to test Jesus' support for the Law of Moses...Jesus understood he was the focus of the accusers, not the promiscuous women....Jesus, replied who among you is without sin, cast the first stone....the accusers melted into the ether....Jesus asked the woman to sin, no more, for he had understand she was guilty...but, rather than condemn her, he invited her to change her ways.

Billy Graham was as flawed, as are we....here lies our dilemma...do we assume his mantle, and become the judge, jury and executioner of religious fundamentalists...should we stone him...or learn from his very human failings that none is perfect, not even one...and, there but for God's grace go I, when we assume that we are holier, than thou.

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

Originally Posted by kallipolis

This discourse reminds me of the fallen woman brought before Jesus, for judgement by men who wanted to test Jesus' support for the Law of Moses...Jesus understood he was the focus of the accusers, not the promiscuous women....Jesus, replied who among you is without sin, cast the first stone....the accusers melted into the ether....Jesus asked the woman to sin, no more, for he had understand she was guilty...but, rather than condemn her, he invited her to change her ways.

Billy Graham was as flawed, as are we....here lies our dilemma...do we assume his mantle, and become the judge, jury and executioner of religious fundamentalists...should we stone him...or learn from his very human failings that none is perfect, not even one...and, there but for God's grace go I, when we assume that we are holier, than thou.

There's little to nothing in common between this and that tale. The woman was not a public figure, not a teacher, not one claiming to be telling a nation what God thought. She, in other words, was not subject to a scriptural mandate to which Graham most certainly was:

"But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death."

The admonition of James in the New Testament is in accord with this:

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

And so Christians must follow this instruction:

Test all things carefully; hold fast to that which is good.

It's the task of every Christian to treat teachers and the rest as Paul was treated:

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

If Paul's words had to be tested against scripture, then Graham's must be more so.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

^

One one here is suggesting that Billy Graham is faultless nor, that one (Billy Graham) who assumes the role of a public figure preaching the gospel should not be held accountable for their failure to live the gospel message.

My reference to the fallen woman story clearly identifies Jesus' response to the woman's accusers, and the fallen woman....the accusers' are invited to consider their own guilty behaviour, with Jesus asking the fallen woman to...go, and sin, no more....all the characters' are addressed...none is innocent....where lies the greater guilt....those who accuse, aware of their own guilt...or, the one (the fallen woman) who faces stoning to death, for being promiscuous....evidencing the hypocrisy of a patriarchal society where men can escape punishment for their promiscuous behaviour whilst, woman are automatically condemned to death by stoning.

The conclusion being, that each of stands guilty....neverthless, that does not stop us discussing the premise raised by the OP that Billy Graham's "gospel" represented the "Pharasaical" judgemental response to human frailty...which we as gays are only too well aware of when listening to religious fundamentalists judging us for being true to our self.

Francis of Assisi wrote wisely on this very issue, using his actual words:

I quote from the "Earlier Rule:"Chapter XVII "Preachers;" 3. All the brothers, however, should preach by their deeds...

and,

"The Admonitions of Saint Francis:" Chapter XXI: "The Frivolous and Talkative Religious;"

1. Blessed is the servant who, when he speaks , does not reveal everything about himself in the hope of receiving a reward, and who is not quick to speak, but wisely weighs what he should say and how he should reply. 2. Woe to that religious who does not keep in his heart the good things the Lord reveals to him and who does not manifest to others by his actions, but rather seeks to make such good things known by his words. 3. He thereby receives his reward while those who listen to him carry away but little fruit."

In other words: "Preach the Gospel - use words ONLY if necessary."

Because most of the time people observe our deeds long before they listen to our words.

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

I will address the question posed by the OP by replying that Billy Graham's undoubted gifts as an orator were abused by him...with the Elmer Gantry story (portrayed brilliantly, by Burt Lancaster) illustrates the hypocrisy of those who preach the gospel, while failing to live up the words preached....but was Billy Graham, evil?...definitely, no, for his guilt is no greater than those eager to point the finger at others, in their eagerness to apportion blame on those preaching the gospel of The Christ while failing to live up its words of love.

One of the many challenges associated with institutionalised religion, and its many critics (well noted across these forums) playing devil's advocate is its easy tendency to obsess on the theoretical model....this is not to say that constructive debate should avoided, but that the academic should be revealed through our practical actions...otherwise, we become an empty vessel more concerned with demonstrating our intellectual wherewithal, than of following the call of The Saviour...to reveal his life in the lives of human kind.

Matthew 25:35-40

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

Originally Posted by palbert

He was a creature of his time - and outlived that time. I see no need to debate or discuss him. For years he has been an ornament used by others.

I'm gonna agree with you that there is no need to debate or discuss him.
Being raised in a Southern Baptist family, speaking of Graham as evil would be sacrilegious. Once I asked my Mother as she was aging if she ever gave monies to any of the evangelists. I mentioned that Graham was the only real evangelist. Do I believe that today? Not really. He has turned out to be one of the thorns in my side with my families beliefs on gay. They say they all accept me but, really?

BEWARE! Harassing the Indian may result in sudden and severe hair loss.

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

.
I do not believe that Rev. Graham was evil. He didn't have much of a political agenda. It wasn't his fault that Richard Nixon was one of his followers.

When the evangelists preach their religion I don't care, but when they mix politics in with it that's when I begin to care. Same for the politicians..... leave your religion out of politics.

I never minded Billy Graham that much. He wasn't a rabid politician like the demonic Pat Robertson. If he wants to bilk the unsuspecting out of their Social Security checks that's one thing, but if they use lawmakers as their puppets then I'll get involved.

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

Originally Posted by Dejavudoo

His views were the norm for his day, not original to him. He has always seemed a wiser man than his successors. I imagine the closest thing to his equal today is Joel Osteen. Osteen works to put a positive voice out there rather than spending all his time ranting about abortion and foaming at the mouth about gay rights. He actually speaks to people with a caring manner and focuses on getting love right.

Osteen is definitely more guilty of all that Graham is accused of in the article: he doesn't preach the Gospel at all, but insists that wealth is God's way of showing favor. Riches equals righteousness, in his view; the only reason anyone is poor is because of lack of faith.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

It's a real shame that Graham's legacy is being hijacked by those who seek to use it to deny equality to gays. Many are within his own family. Last year full page ads were taken out in various newspapers in the 5 states with marriage on the ballot urging voters to reject equality, while his children were especially vocal in supporting the North Carolina campaign (his home state).

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

Originally Posted by Lestatnj

His son Franklin is anti gay, anti Muslim & almost violently anti Obama

His son lacks almost all the redeeming qualities of the father.

"Thirty-one* states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible. "

Re: Was Billy Graham evil?

Originally Posted by Kulindahr

His son lacks almost all the redeeming qualities of the father.

Franklin was quite the hellion in his day.....booze, drugs and those evil harlots tempting him with sins of the flesh. The pendulum caught him and tossed him into the opposite direction. Too bad this misguided addict will never find a happy medium. However, he did discover evangelism is lucrative and he's gotta eat too, ya know.

Unfortunately he has none of his father's charisma so he'll eventually have to find a different day job.